Marchiafava-Bignami Disease

Unknown Brain Case 12

Presentation

75 y/o man presenting with difficulty naming objects held in his right hand.

• T1-weighted sagittal image
• T1-weighted sagittal image
• T1-weighted axial image image
• T2-weighted axial image
• FLAIR coronal image

Image Findings

Focal areas of demyelination and necrosis are noted in the corpus callosum and adjacent white matter. Abnormal diffuse increased intensity is seen throughout the corpus callosum on the FLAIR sequence.

Discussion

This patient had a history of consuming large amounts of home made wine. He was unable to name objects placed in his right hand but was able to name them when placed in his left hand, indicating an abnormality in the corpus callosum. This is an uncommon disease associated with alcoholism.